Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback Mitch Leidner scrambles for near a first down against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in the second quarter at TCF Bank Stadium on Saturday, Oct, 22, 2016. The Gophers beat Rutgers, 34-32. (Pioneer Press: John Autey)

Gophers quarterback Mitch Leidner has shown his toughness many times, but last week there was no amount of guts the senior could display to get him on the field.

After making 27 consecutive starts while battling extensive ligament damage in his left foot over the past two seasons, Leidner missed the 31-10 win at Maryland with a concussion suffered in the 14-7 loss to Iowa on Oct. 8.

“I think anytime you are sidelined with something, you want to get back at all costs,” Leidner said. “But (with a) concussion, it was just a little bit unique because it’s not really something you can just play through. It was challenging for me because I felt like through most of my career I’ve been able to stay in games and play through different injuries like that.”

After being listed as “out” Tuesday, Leidner passed the concussion protocol approved by doctors on Thursday and returned to play in the 34-32 win over Rutgers on Saturday. He went 11 for 18 with 156 yards, no touchdowns and one interception.

He started strong, going 7 for 7 for 136 yards, plus a first-quarter rushing touchdown. But after a 21-point first quarter, the offense scored only six points.

On the game-winning drive in the fourth quarter, Leidner completed one of three passes for 9 yards as Minnesota relied on the run to go 59 yards over 13 plays.

CARPENTER’S FIRST WINNER
Place-kicker Emmit Carpenter started the season 9 for 9 on field-goal attempts but missed a 36-yard try against Maryland last week and pushed wide a 34-yard attempt in the second quarter Saturday.

He got back on track with a 39-yarder in the third quarter before he made personal history with his first game-winning kick, a 28-yarder with six seconds left in the game.

“It’s an exciting experience and one that I’ll definitely not be forgetting anytime soon,” Carpenter said.

Carpenter said he wasn’t thinking about his earlier misses when he lined up with the game on the line.

“After that missed kick in the first half, I thought about it for a little bit just to kind of learn from the experience and what I did wrong,” he said. “Then just kind of clean the slate. I knew that my name would be called again at some point in the game. I just had to respond to that.”

TARGETING EJECTIONLinebacker Jack Lynn was ejected for targeting after he hit Rutgers receiver Juwaun Harris early in the third quarter.

It appeared Lynn attempted to turn and hit Harris with his right shoulder, but their helmets collided. Because his hit came in the second half, by rule, he will be forced to sit out the first half of next week’s game against Illinois.

“I seen the call, but I didn’t see what else went on, so I will hold my comment until later,” Claeys said.

LINGEN HURT AGAIN
Starting tight end Brandon Lingen exited in third quarter with a left foot injury. He returned to the sideline, on crutches and wearing a protective boot. He has struggled to stay healthy, playing in only two games after having multiple shoulder injuries to start the season.

Right guard Vincent Calhoun continues to deal with a turf toe injury, and right tackle Garrison Wright has a tendon problem in his left foot.

CENTURY MARK
Drew Wolitarsky became the 14th member of Minnesota’s 100-catch club. With five receptions, the senior wideout now has 101 catches since 2013.

Wolitarsky needs seven catches to pass KJ Maye for 13th on the list. Eric Decker is No. 1 all time with 227 receptions from 2006-09.

Wolitarsky also has a catch in 20 consecutive games. He was the only Gopher with more than one catch Saturday.

BRIEFLY
Rodney Smith’s 94-yard touchdown was the first kickoff return for a score since Jalen Myrick went 100 yards for six against Northwestern on Oct. 11, 2014 — a span of 26 games.

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